Attempted Robbery Leads To Two Meth Arrests

A woman arrested Monday in connection to an attempted gas station robbery in January led authorities to two men who were arrested on methamphatemine charges.

Grand Traverse Sheriff's Office deputies arrested 34-year-old Beth Ann Merchant on charges of accessory after the fact, first-degree retail fraud and habitual offender for her role in an attempted Next Door Food Store robbery. Merchant was a suspected accomplice to Jeffrey Scott Kleehammer, who was arrested hours after the robbery, in that crime. Information obtained in an interview with Merchant led deputies, Traverse Narcotics Team (TNT) detectives and Michigan State Police Meth Response Team members to a Garfield Township residence. After executing a search warrant, authorities arrested a 32-year-old Traverse City man on several meth-related charges.

Evidence gathered from the man's residence then led the team to a second residence in Long Lake Township, where chemical components and apparatus were seized. Officers arrested a 33-year-old Traverse City man for several meth-related charges in connection to the Long Lake Township search.